Rush/Priority Handling Charge

[mlankeit]

I need a way to allow users to specify "rush handling" and add an appropriate handling charge at checkout time. I couldn't find any work in progress or previously discussed solution.

So far, the best work-around I can think of is to setup a virtual product called "rush handling" and make this available via a sidebox (either customize the shopping cart box or add a new one).

Any other ideas?

Thx.

[Ajeh]

What Shipping Module(s) are you using now?

[mlankeit]

Default 1.3.5 install. Enabled shipping modules are UPS and USPS.

Let me clarify... Customers can pick shipping priorities just fine, such as next-day-air vs. ground. Also, I have defined a standard handling charge in both my shipping modules that should be added to every order regardless.

I now would like to offer "rush processing" internal to my company, hence the additional handling charge. Ideally, the customer should be able to select this at checkout time, and it should show as a separate line item (similar to either tax or shipping charges), regardless of carrier used or shipping priority specified.

Thx.

[samad64]

you may be able to use this module with a few modifications. this is for insurance, but you can always change the text and the values for it:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...to_threadtools

[mlankeit]

Thx. On the surface it looks similar to what I'm looking for. I'll take a closer look tomorrow (later today).

Either way, adding shipping insurance was on my to-do list, so thx for the pointer!

[mlankeit]

Quick followup...

Using the Shipping Insurance module as a jump-board worked like a charm. The biggest change was with how taxes are shown. The Shipping Insurance module by default adds any taxes directly into the insurance charge. For my purposes, I wanted to advertise a set charge, so with this default functionality, it made it look like I said $5 on one page, but on the order it shows as $5.50. To fix this, I added an option to have any taxes be added to the appropriate tax-class line on the order total.

In case others may want similar functionality, I have submitted the Priority Order Handling module to the downloads area. It is now available from this link:

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=356

Thx again for the help!

[mlankeit]

First, some clarification... The Priority Handling module works by adding a new class to Zen Cart, called "ot_priority_handling", which encapsulates the processing or code portion that makes the module work. But the class itself does not store anything. The handling the handling charge itself and any preferences are stored in the ZenCart configuration table in MySQL. During a live cart session, whether the user selects this option or not is stored in the $_SESSION variable. Outside of this, the class then uses $_SESSION to see whether to do any processing; if so, then it uses the stored preferences to come up with a value to charge, does the tax calculation appropriately, and finally whatever else so everything shows up correctly in the final order total.

I supposed you could modify the built-in shipping module to accomplish something similar. I'm not sure why this would be preferable. If you want to add a flat-rate shipping charge base, just define your shipping preferences this way. The additional charge would be there, but it would be hidden. If you want to call out the charge specifically and give the user the option to add it or not, then you can use something like Priority Handling, and maybe just modify the language file so the text description is what you want. Therefore, I do not see any semantic reason for modifying the built-in shipping module code, but maybe I don't understand your specific application.

Another thing to consider is that modifying the built-in shipping module changes a component of the base distribution. The main idea with the Priority Handling module is to make the functionality an add-on that does not alter the distribution code base. Therefore, any Zen Cart update would be much easier for you using this module versus you trying to re-apply whatever code changes you did before on the base distribution.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

-ml

[ShopVille]

First, some clarification... The Priority Handling module works by adding a new class to Zen Cart, called "ot_priority_handling", which encapsulates the processing or code portion that makes the module work. But the class itself does not store anything. The handling the handling charge itself and any preferences are stored in the ZenCart configuration table in MySQL. During a live cart session, whether the user selects this option or not is stored in the $_SESSION variable. Outside of this, the class then uses $_SESSION to see whether to do any processing; if so, then it uses the stored preferences to come up with a value to charge, does the tax calculation appropriately, and finally whatever else so everything shows up correctly in the final order total.

I supposed you could modify the built-in shipping module to accomplish something similar. I'm not sure why this would be preferable. If you want to add a flat-rate shipping charge base, just define your shipping preferences this way. The additional charge would be there, but it would be hidden. If you want to call out the charge specifically and give the user the option to add it or not, then you can use something like Priority Handling, and maybe just modify the language file so the text description is what you want. Therefore, I do not see any semantic reason for modifying the built-in shipping module code, but maybe I don't understand your specific application.

Another thing to consider is that modifying the built-in shipping module changes a component of the base distribution. The main idea with the Priority Handling module is to make the functionality an add-on that does not alter the distribution code base. Therefore, any Zen Cart update would be much easier for you using this module versus you trying to re-apply whatever code changes you did before on the base distribution.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

-ml

Thanks!

[lat9]

As identified by this post in the One-Page Checkout's support thread, there's an interoperability issue between the Priority Handling total and OPC. I've created a GitHub repository for the order-total and have provided (so far) this beta version: https://github.com/lat9/priority_han...g/v1.3.0-beta2

Once validated, I'll be submitting v1.3.0 of Priority Handling to the Zen Cart plugins for review.

[lat9]

As identified by this post in the One-Page Checkout's support thread, there's an interoperability issue between the Priority Handling total and OPC. I've created a GitHub repository for the order-total and have provided (so far) this beta version: https://github.com/lat9/priority_han...g/v1.3.0-beta2

Once validated, I'll be submitting v1.3.0 of Priority Handling to the Zen Cart plugins for review.

I've just submitted to the plugins for review. For those wanting a preview, you can download from the plugin's GitHub repository: https://github.com/lat9/priority_han...ses/tag/v1.3.0